Finnish leaders react with apprehension to US, British and French air strikes on Syria

Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö and Foreign Minister Timo Soini agree the strikes were expected. Both say they are wary of Russia’s response, with Soini fearing a possible “cycle of retribution”.

The US, Britain and France implemented a missile strike on three targets in Syria in response to a suspected poison gas attack early Saturday morning, Finnish time. Finland’s leaders agree it was not a surprise.

Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö says the strikes were expected, considering the dramatic events of the last week.

“There had been talk of this already early in the week, when French President Emmanuel Macron said that a strike would occur within the next few days. He described the targets already then,” he said.…